ROLLING STONES - YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

Estrena: 3 de juliol de 1969

Llistes: EUA: #42

"You Can't Always Get What You Want" és una cançó clàssica dels Rolling Stones, inclosa al seu àlbum de 1969 "Let It Bleed". Escrita per Mick Jagger i Keith Richards, la cançó inicialment es va publicar com a cara B del senzill "Honky Tonk Women". La versió inclosa en aquest senzill és més curta que la de l'àlbum. Curiosament, el single es va llançar el 3 de juliol de 1969, coincidint tràgicament amb la mort de Brian Jones, membre fundador dels Rolling Stones. Els Stones van gravar inicialment aquesta pista durant les sessions de "Beggars Banquet" el 1968, però no va entrar al tall final d'aquell àlbum i es va incloure més tard a "Let It Bleed".

L'explicació de Mick Jagger sobre la cançó captura bé la seva essència. "You Can't Always Get What You Want" agrada la gent perquè parla de l'experiència universal de desitjar més malgrat el que ja es té. La tornada i la melodia memorable, juntament amb els tocs orquestrals aportats per Jack Nitzsche, contribueix tot plegat al seu atractiu perdurable.

El cor d'infants escoltat a la cançó és interpretat pel Cor Bach de Londres, amb les seves 60 veus duplicades per crear la il·lusió d'un grup més gran. Curiosament, el Cor Bach de Londres va intentar desvincular-se de l'àlbum en conèixer-ne el títol, "Let It Bleed", i la inclusió de "Midnight Rambler", una cançó sobre un assassí en sèrie. Una versió de la cançó sense el cor es pot trobar a "Rock and Roll Circus", un especial de televisió britànic gravat pels Rolling Stones el 1968 però mai emès. L'especial va incloure una barreja de música i actuacions de circ que finalment es va llançar en vídeo el 1995.

La identitat de "Mr. Jimmy" a la cançó ha generat algun debat i especulació. Mentre alguns creuen que podria referir-se a Jimmy Miller, el productor dels Stones en aquell moment, altres suggereixen que podria ser una referència a Jimmy Hutmaker, un personatge local d'Excelsior, Minnesota. Hutmaker, conegut com a "Mr. Jimmy", era una figura de la zona que tenia alguna discapacitat però era mentalment agut la majoria dels dies. Va ser atès per propietaris de botigues locals fins la seva mort el 2007.

La llegenda diu que Mick Jagger va trobar-se amb el Sr. Jimmy durant una visita a una farmàcia a Excelsior, on el Sr. Jimmy va dir famosament: "You Can't Always Get What You want”, (Bé, no sempre pots aconseguir el que vols). Es diu que aquest incident va inspirar la lletra de la cançó. Es diu que el Sr. Jimmy va assistir al següent concert dels Stones a Minneapolis, amb alguns relats que suggereixen que Jagger va organitzar que un limusina el portés, però és més probable que un empresari local facilités la seva assistència.

El bateria de la banda, Charlie Watts, no va tocar en aquesta pista simplement perquè va trobar el ritme i la dinàmica de la bateria inusuals i difícils de comprendre. En el seu lloc, el productor Jimmy Miller, es va fer càrrec de la bateria. No obstant, Watts finalment va trobar el seu enfocament, com es pot veure al vídeo del Rock And Roll Circus. L'enfoc meticulós de Miller a la bateria és evident, ja que també va tocar a "Happy" i va afegir la campaneta a "Honky Tonk Women". En una entrevista a NPR, Al Kooper va recordar haver vist Miller i Watts treballant en la part de bateria. Quan Watts va tenir problemes per agafar-hi el truc, Miller va oferir-se a demostrar-li. Watts va respondre: "Per què no ho toques tu, llavors?" i va marxar de la sessió. Malgrat això, Miller va continuar, i la cançó es va gravar amb èxit.

Al Kooper va ser contractat per tocar l'orgue i el corn francès a la pista. Aquests instruments normalment eren tocats per Brian Jones, però a causa dels seus greus problemes de drogues en aquell moment, no va poder contribuir. La interpretació de Kooper inclou la llarga nota del corn al començament de la cançó.

Una de les versions més poc convencionals de "You Can't Always Get What You Want" es va produir el 18 d'abril de 2020, durant el concert One World: Together At Home en suport de l'Organització Mundial de la Salut enmig de la pandèmia de coronavirus. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood i Charlie Watts es van reunir virtualment a través de Zoom per interpretar-la. Es diu que Watts, sense una bateria disponible, va imitar tocar la bateria a l'aire, amb la seva pista probablement doblada més tard.

ROLLING STONES - YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

Released: July 3, 1969

Charted:  US: #42 

"You Can't Always Get What You Want" is a classic song by the Rolling Stones, featured on their 1969 album “Let It Bleed”. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song was initially released as the B-side to the single "Honky Tonk Women." The version of the song included on this single is shorter than the album version. Interestingly, the single was released on July 3, 1969, which tragically coincided with the death of Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones. The Stones initially recorded this track during the “Beggars Banquet” sessions in 1968, but it didn't make the final cut for that album and was later included on “Let It Bleed”.

Mick Jagger's explanation of the song captures its essence well. "You Can't Always Get What You Want" resonates with people because it speaks to the universal experience of yearning for more despite what one already has. The song's sing-along chorus and memorable melody, along with the orchestral touches contributed by Jack Nitzsche, all contribute to its enduring appeal.

The chorus of children heard in the song is performed by the London Bach Choir, with their 60 voices double-tracked to create the illusion of a larger group. Interestingly, the London Bach Choir attempted to disassociate themselves from the album upon learning of its title, “Let It Bleed”, and the inclusion of "Midnight Rambler," a song about a serial killer. A version of the song without the choir can be found on “Rock and Roll Circus”, a British TV special recorded by The Stones in 1968 but never aired. The special featured a blend of music and circus performances and was eventually released on video in 1995.

The identity of "Mr. Jimmy" in the song has sparked some debate and speculation. While some believe it could refer to Jimmy Miller, the Stones' producer at the time, others suggest it may be a reference to Jimmy Hutmaker, a local character from Excelsior, Minnesota. Hutmaker, known as "Mr. Jimmy," was a familiar figure in the area and had some disabilities but was mentally sharp on most days. He was cared for by local shop owners until his passing in 2007.

Legend has it that Mick Jagger encountered Mr. Jimmy during a visit to a drugstore in Excelsior, where Mr. Jimmy famously remarked, "Well, you can't always get what you want." This incident is said to have inspired the lyrics of the song. Mr. Jimmy was reportedly in attendance at the Stones' next show in Minneapolis, with some accounts suggesting that Jagger arranged for a limo to pick him up. However, it is more likely that a local businessman facilitated his attendance.

The drummer for the band, Charlie Watts, didn't play on this track simply because he found the unusual groove and rhythm challenging to grasp. Instead, their producer, Jimmy Miller, took over on drums. However, Watts eventually adapted his approach, as seen in the Rock And Roll Circus video. Miller's meticulous approach to drumming is evident, as he also played on "Happy" and added cowbell to "Honky Tonk Women." In an NPR interview, Al Kooper recounted witnessing Miller and Watts working on the drum part. When Watts struggled to catch on, Miller offered to demonstrate. Watts then responded, "Why don't you play it then?" and left the session. Despite this, Miller continued, and the song was successfully recorded.

Al Kooper was enlisted to play the organ and French horn on the track. These instruments were typically played by Brian Jones, but due to his severe drug problems at the time, he was unable to contribute. Kooper's performance includes the long horn note at the beginning of the song.

One of the more unconventional renditions of this song occurred on April 18, 2020, during the One World: Together At Home concert in support of the World Health Organization amid the coronavirus pandemic. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Charlie Watts reunited virtually via Zoom to perform it. Watts, reportedly without a drum kit available, played air drums, with his track likely dubbed in later.